Related Brochures

Many natural gas compression scenarios can lead to multiphase flow within your compression machinery. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has the experience and tools to evaluate the potential and influence of wet gas on your operation.

How do we find liquid?

Check separator sizing and performance

Determine the risk for liquid carryover

Estimate the level of liquid drop out in the system

How do we determine the consequences of liquid?

Evaluate erosion potential

Estimate corrosion risk

Assess influence on compressor performance and reliability

How can we help you control the liquid and its influence?

Look at separator modifications

Determine if heating or cooling equipment is needed

Evaluate need for dehydration system

Look at more robust equipment design

The impacts to performance and reliability are different for each major type of compression system (reciprocating or centrifugal). In general, the common design considerations for wet gas operation should include size of drive system necessary to achieve the compressor performance, amount of liquid expected to be ingested by the compressor, size and ability of upstream separation equipment to properly control/extract liquid flow, and the impact of liquids to machine reliability.

Reliability impacts may include increased axial and/or radial vibrations, erosion, compressor slugging, or even compressor surge. Making equipment changes after installation impacts your schedule and capital equipment costs. If you have concerns about wet gas operation for your installation, a third-party design audit of the entire compression process and selected equipment is strongly recommended. SwRI has the experience needed to evaluate the potential and impact of wet gas on your operation.

SwRI can offer you a full range of capabilities and experience in evaluating the risk when operating with wet gas including becoming an extension of your engineering department. Contact us for more information about wet gas system audits at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI.

Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with
10 technical divisions.